IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Oakley CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Oakley CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Oakley CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Oakley CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Oakley CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Oakley CA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Oakley CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Oakley CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.